Fabric of Life Foundation

nonprofit

Address and Contact:

P.O. Box 547

Edmonds, WA

98020

Carol Schillios (Executive Director)
c.schillios@verizon.net
425-775-7391

www.fabricoflife.org

Organization Description:

The Fabric of Life Foundation is dedicated to cooperative partnerships that improve people's access to affordable credit through micro-loans for income generating activities, creating access to education and health care. All projects are committed to promoting self-sufficiency and sustainable institutions. Our philosophy is to form cooperative partnerships that promote self-help, that build people's self-esteem and independence. The focus is on improving the quality of life for women and their families through sustainable, appropriate strategies that also respect and honor local traditions and cultures. We believe that development is about encouragement, learning, strategic experimentation and partnership exchanges. Our philosophy is to support partnerships that focus on the International Cooperative Operating Principles of self-help, building financial stability, education, non-discrimination, social responsibility and cooperation among cooperatives.

Example Project:

The Fabric of Life Foundation has participated in development projects in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda, Mali, Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, Thailand, Philippines, Ukraine, Moldova and Nepal. One of current projects is the Here je Training Center in Bamako, Mali. It is our vision to break the cycle of begging on the street for young women through a skills training, education and marketing cooperative with a microfinance cooperative. In about 18 months, these young women learn skills to help them generate income and become businesswomen.

Activities that promote health:

Clean Water & Sanitation Access, Health Care & Drug Access, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, Reproductive health/Family Planning, Violence Recovery

Activities that combat poverty:

Community Development, Economic Development, Education & Literacy, Employment & Income Generation, Fair Trade, Housing, International Trade, Microfinance

Areas of Service:

Capacity building, Education & Training, Grantmaking & Philanthropy, Public Awareness, Sustainable Business Operations, Technical Assistance

Nations of the World:

Africa: Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, Zimbabwe

Asia: Nepal